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More than a century after Florence “Flo” Ellson began welcoming travellers to a Kingscote guesthouse, her name is returning to the property as part of its biggest transformation yet.
The former Kangaroo Island Seaview Motel is being reinvented as The Ellson Hotel, an $18 million, 49-room boutique hotel expected to open this December.
The new chapter will see the Kingscote property completely reimagined while embracing its rich local history and introducing a fresh, contemporary identity.
At the heart of the new hotel is the idea of ‘island time,’ a slower, less complicated way of travelling that encourages guests to reconnect with nature and experience Kangaroo Island through its stories, produce and people.
“Our vision was never simply to update a motel,” owner Yen Aun Leow said.
“We wanted to create a hotel with soul, one that honours the people who came before us while offering a fresh, contemporary experience for today’s traveller.”
While many modern hotels are moving towards self-check-ins and automation, Yen says The Ellson will place traditional, face-to-face hospitality at the centre of the experience.
“A lot of new places are going towards automation, fewer staff and self-check-ins. But we feel like the heart and soul of accommodation in a regional town is really about hospitality,” he said.
“We act as an entry point, or a base, for tourists. Our job is to make sure they have the best information, the best sleep and the best food experience so they can really go out and explore.”
The extensive redevelopment will introduce 49 thoughtfully designed guest rooms, landscaped outdoor spaces, accessible accommodation and the highly anticipated Flo restaurant.
The restaurant will celebrate Kangaroo Island produce through relaxed casual dining, with plans to make use of seasonal ingredients through preserving, pickling and fermenting, alongside a strong focus on sourcing locally.
Accommodation will range from standard and deluxe rooms through to the signature Ellson rooms, which offer more generous spaces and views across Nepean Bay, alongside sea and ocean-view options.
Inside, the coastal setting will be reflected through a light and airy palette, natural materials and warm timber touches.
For Yen, reaching this point carries extra weight.
Since taking over the property, Kangaroo Island has endured the pandemic and devastating bushfires, while the hotel itself was also hit by a major restaurant fire.
“We’ve gone through quite a bit since I took over, and to see it where it is at the moment is beyond exciting,” he said.
The doors to The Ellson Hotel are slated to open this December, just as the longer days and warmer weather settle across the island.
The Ellson Hotel
When: expected December 2026
Where: 51 Chapman Tce, Kingscote, 5223, SA
For more information, click here.
